STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE BY USING RED MUD AS A REPLACEMENT OF CEMENT

Abstract

This research was conducted to study the characteristics of concrete using red mud to replace cement in concrete. The Bayer process, which produces alumina in bauxite ores, features low energy efficiency and produces significant amounts of highly alkaline bauxite residues such as dust, also known as red clay. Currently, red mud is produced in almost the same mass ratio as metallurgical alumina and is placed in an enclosed or unsealed artificial reservoir (landfill), causing significant environmental problems. It is composed of oxides of iron, titanium, aluminum and silica and is contained with some trace elements. The presence of alumina and iron oxide in the red mud complements the deficiency of the same ingredients in the limestone, the main raw material for cement production.
The presence of soda in red mud when used in clinker production neutralizes the sulfur content of pet coke used in clinker-cured cement production and adds curing properties to cement. Based on economic considerations as well as environmental issues, there has been a tremendous worldwide effort to address red mud management issues - use, storage and disposal. Other routes of using red mud are known to some extent, but they have not proven economically viable or commercially feasible. Experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions to evaluate the strength characteristics of aluminum red mud. Project work focuses on the suitability of the red mud that has been obtained for construction. The five test groups consisted of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% of the red clay substitute percentages. This paper points out another promising direction for the proper use of red mud.